Petroleum and By-Products Inspections – IMS provides survey,
inspection and supervision services of all petroleum, petrochemical and
chemical cargoes, including pre-shipment inspections, quality and
quantity surveys, as well as tanker andtank barge loading or discharging

Bunker Surveys – to establish the quantity and quality of bunkers on
board at time of on/off-hire, inventory control and on bunkering,
including barge and shore tank verification, and sampling as required

Intermodal Tank Equipment – inspection and quantity measurement of road and rail tankers and tank containers can be provided

Software – we have developed an in-house software program that
ensures prompt and accurate reporting from the job site and greatly
reduces the time required to complete the documentation upon the
completion of loading.

Mobile Unit – our liquid bulk department is furbished with two
mobile office units, each equipped with a computer system,
communications, and a weather-protected sample-handling station. These
vans can be positioned in close proximity to the tanker(s) and
tank-farm(s) during operations to provide support and superior work
conditions.

Edible Oils and Fats – IMS provides full supervision during loading
and discharging including inspecting ship and shore tanks, taking
representative samples, and determining the quality and quantity loaded
or discharged. Clients are kept fully informed of the progress of the
operation and are promptly provided with all required documentation as
requested. Products include:

Compliance Surveys – verifying the vessel’s suitability to carry
cargoes governed by rules or codes, such as grain, bulk cargoes, timber
deck cargoes and hazardous goods; and the practical application of local
laws and customs of the trade.

Cargo Pre-Loading Surveys – to measure and calculate the cargo’s
volume for freight payment and stowage purposes, and to verify its
condition by recording all visible damage before shipment or at the
warehouse or dock for insurance purposes, carriers and freight
forwarders.

Loading, Handling and Stowage Advice – including stability and
stress calculations; advice on draft and trim; safe carriage and
discharge; to assure the effectiveness of securing; and for recommending
and supervising loading, stowage, lashing, blocking and bracing to
ensure the safe carriage of the cargoes.

Grain Stability Separations and Stress Calculation – assisting
master in the loading planning and/or calculation to best meet the code.

Heavy-Lift and Project Cargo Surveys – cargo condition, handling,
stowage and lashing before and during loading are mostly done on behalf
of shippers, underwriters, carriers and freight forwarders.

Pre-Shipment Surveys – surveys of break-bulk cargo, especially
newsprint, wood-pulp and project cargoes to ensure that bills of lading
and mate’s receipts accurately note the apparent condition of cargo when
it is loaded, and to comment on the water tightness, condition and
ventilation of the vessel’s holds.

Out-turn Surveys – surveys of break-bulk cargo, especially steel, on
arrival at the discharge port, to establish condition and any damages
or shift of cargo that may have occurred during the voyage. This survey
often requires Silver Nitrate testing for chloride residues.

Draft Surveys – surveys to determine the quantity of a bulk cargo
loaded or discharged by reading the vessel’s drafts, measuring the
ballast water, fuel and diesel oil and other liquids on board, and
calculating the final quantity by using the vessel’s approved
dead-weight scales and tank tables, etc.

Dead-freight Surveys – to determine by measurement the amount of
cargo a vessel could have loaded if all the available space was
utilised. This is to determine the loss of freight due to short shipment
of cargo.

Hatch Sealing – to ensure that no contamination or loss of cargo
occurs during passage or stopover in other Ports prior to final
destination.

Damage Surveys – investigation of cargo damage or loss claims on
behalf of P&I Clubs, carriers, shippers, consignee, etc. to
determine possible cause and extent of any damage that may have occurred
during shipment and to assist in mitigating further losses.

Stevedore and Terminal Damage – the investigation and survey of
damage to vessels, terminal equipment, containers, cargo, cargo hoses,
etc. that is alleged to have occurred as the result of handling the
equipment, cargo, etc.

Marine Technical Services

Flag State Surveys – IMS represents a number of Flag States as
inspectors of their ships, including those of The Bahamas, Barbados,
Cyprus and Panama. We regularly conduct safety inspections, condition
survey and marine accident investigations on their behalf on bulk
carriers, tankers and a number of cruise ships that visit BC each
summer.

Condition Surveys – to determine a vessel’s general or specific
condition (including a number of ballast tanks), and its fitness to
trade. This survey is usually on behalf of P & I Clubs and Flag
States (All Vessels over 12 years old require a condition survey prior
to being permitted entrance to the Flag).

Hull and Machinery – IMS acts as non-exclusive surveyor for a number
of Classification Societies. We have access to highly-qualified marine
engineers as well as consulting arrangements with reputable marine
engineering firms.

Pre-purchase Surveys – on behalf of prospective buyers, to determine
the actual condition of a vessel and its machinery and equipment,
including (if required and permitted) non-destructive ultrasonic
thickness gauging.

Hatch Tightness Testing – We can provide tightness testing by ultra
sound or by way of hose testing for water ingress. Our ultrasonic
equipment is the class approved Sharelog Equipment with data logger.

Railroad Freight Claims – we provide cargo loss services for a number of railroads that operate within Canada.

General Average (GA) Consulting – IMS provides consultation by
reviewing GA adjustments and surveys to assist in claims recovery on
behalf of cargo interests.

Foreign Trade Supervision (FTS) – IMS has considerable experience in
the field of Foreign Trade Supervision (FTS) and is familiar with all
required documentation and inspections.